'Bernadette of Lourdes': A Moving Musical

Maria Riley reviews Bernadette of Lourdes, The Musical, in US theaters September 28 & 29. 

Catholic musical lovers are in for a treat this September when the original French performance of Bernadette of Lourdes, The Musical, is showing in theaters. On September 28 and 29 only, viewers can be transported to Lourdes, France to experience the life of a simple and humble saint. 

A Musical About the Visionary of Lourdes  

The musical opens with Bernadette, a poor and uneducated teen, being interrogated by the Commissioner. She has just experienced her first vision of the beautiful lady. Despite his arrogance and unwillingness to believe her, Bernadette never falters in her claim of what she saw.  

Bernadette doesn’t call her the Blessed Virgin or Mary, she simply refers to her as “Aquero,” which is a word in her local dialect that means “the thing I am talking about.” The opening song, sung by French singer Eyma, is titled “Aquero” and is about the vision of the beautiful woman in white.  

The musical follows the journey of Bernadette during the apparitions of 1858. Initially, no one believed her, even her own parents. Despite the inquisitions and lack of support, Bernadette never wavered in her honest telling of what she saw. Gradually, her family and other townspeople began to believe what she said.  

At the request of the local priest, Bernadette asks the beautiful woman what her name is. The woman replied, “Que soy era Immaculada Counchetsiou,” meaning, “I am the Immaculate Conception.” Bernadette had to repeat this phrase over and over on her way back to the priest because she didn’t understand what it meant. An uneducated peasant girl like Bernadette wouldn’t have been able to make up such a name, and the priest believed her from that day.  

About ten years later, Bernadette responds to the call to join a convent, which brings her story to a close. The show ends with a powerful, full-cast song called “The Face of Faith” that reminds audience members of the power of faith — the kind of faith Bernadette maintained throughout her life.  

A Faithful Presentation  

The musical is a stage performance of the original French show, filmed and presented with English subtitles. The performers have excellent, moving voices, and portray the characters well. The music itself is beautiful, and compliments the story of a poor, uneducated girl who bravely kept her faith amid attacks and disbelief from everyone.  

Bernadette of Lourdes, The Musical faithfully follows the story of Bernadette and the visions of 1858. Though specific dialogue and musical numbers may not reflect exactly what happened, the story line and order of events remain true to actual experiences of Bernadette, her family, and the townspeople of Lourdes. People who know and love the story of Bernadette will love it just as much as people who are discovering Bernadette for the first time.  

This is not a show you want to miss on the big screen! 

Tickets for Bernadette of Lourdes are available at FathomEntertainment.com. 

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Copyright 2025 Maria Riley
Images: copyright 2025 Fathom Entertainment, all rights reserved.